New American Talent/Dance - Sidra's Blog: February 2008

Monday, February 11, 2008

Back in Austin!

I was home in NYC for a very short three days and got to see my family. I was able to share footage of the piece with my father, the composer, and he was very excited to see his music come to life through movement. Now I've returned to Austin and It seems like I never left! As we head into production week the excitement is building and I can't wait to share the experience with the audience which is the icing on the cake. Today we had a big showing of the entire production and tomorrow we go into the theater.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Substrata

(Composer Dennis Bell with Vocalists Sarah Crispo and Suzanne Fiore)

We finished the ballet, "Substrata", on Friday and I am excited about the direction it is taking. The dancers are doing an extraodinary job at interpreting the score which has complex rhythms and with the choreography which is fast and also complex. We have two more full days to delve deeper into the work. I can't wait to see the finished product with lights and costumes!

About Me

My name is Sidra Bell. I am the Artistic Director of Sidra Bell Dance New York. I graduated from Yale University with a BA in History and received an MFA in choreography from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. Since its inception in 2001, the company has presented three seasons featuring live jazz and dance at the Joseph P. Kennedy Center in Harlem, NY. The company has been presented at Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Yale University, Harvard University, the Schomburg Museum, Purchase College, Stella Adler Studio of Acting MAD AIR series, DancenOw/NYC at Dance Theater, Workshop, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Montreal's Danses Buisssoniéres at Tangente and Joyce SoHo Presents. The company performed a program of its repertory at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Inside/Out Series. My works have been performed in Spain, Aruba, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto. Recent commissions include Alvin Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, Marygrove College (Detroit), Ballet Divertimento (Montreal), Arts Umbrella (Vancouver), Canadian Children's Dance Theater (Toronto), Purchase College, Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School, LaGuardia High School and Sacramento Ballet (2008). In 2005 and 2006, Sidra was selected to work as a young choreographer at Springboard Danse Montreal and created works that were performed at Moyse Hall and Place des Arts. Ms. Bell was a recipient of the Patricia Kerr Ross Award for choreographic achievement, sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts, was a Tribeca Performing Arts Center Artist-in-Residence and was awarded a Bessie Schönberg Choreographers Residency at The Yard in 2007.

About New American Talent/Dance

Share in one of the nation’s most exciting interactive ballet opportunities as Stephen Mills continues his biennial search to recognize exceptional choreographic talent! Emerging dance makers chosen from a national selection process by a panel of renowned jurors compete for prestige, up to $20,000 in cash…and the chance to realize their dreams. Join in the fun as YOU, the audience, vote on your favorites from a field of world-premiere works, with styles ranging from the classical to the abstract. “Ladies and gentlemen, turn ON your cell phones” and vote! Learn. Experience. Vote. Participate.

New American Talent/Dance - Sidra's Blog